Announcements

Saturday from 10:00am to 1:00pm the Easter Bunny will be at Oliver's Candy!  I just interviewed Jeremy Liles for this weekends "Local Businesses" article and we just wanted to remind everyone about Saturdays big event.  I'll post the article soon and I hope every one can make it tomorrow.

Press Release:

At its weekly lunch meeting today, the Rotary Club of Batavia announced that Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella has been selected to be their 61st Annual Rotary Show.  Show dates are November 5th – November 9th at the Batavia High School Auditorium.

The musical based on the age-old fairy tale was first broadcast on CBS television in 1957 and starred Julie Andrews.  It was reprised in 1965 as the first color broadcast musical for television and starred Lesley Anne Warren.  A more recent adaptation was broadcast that starred Whitney Houston and Brandy.

The selection made by the Batavia Rotary Show Committee will be the original production with one modification added from the 1965 version.  It will include a cast of 30 to 35 Adults and 8 to 10 Children.   This is the first time that Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella has been selected by the Rotarians.

This year’s production of Cinderella will be directed by Patrick D. Burk.  This is Burk’s first time directing for the Rotary Club of Batavia.  Burk is widely known as the creator of the Batavia Players Summer Youth Theater Program and the Shakespeare in Springtime Program, which just completed this past weekend.  

“I am excited and honored to be offered this opportunity by the Rotary Club, “ Burk stated. “I have always enjoyed working with this group and have had a lot of fun on the Rotary Stage in the past.  I am pleased with the show selection and look forward to offering this truly family oriented show to the Rotary audiences.” 

Known for its costuming and beautiful sets, the pre-production work will begin with meetings in April and continue with the selection of show and musical staff.  Auditions will be held in September.   Show Chairperson is Laurie Mastin,  Business Manager is John Saville and the President – Elect is Ted Hawley.

Burk previously directed this version of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella for the Gates Community Theater at Robert’s Wesleyan College in North Chili.  He has performed in countless stage productions as well as directing and producing shows.  Some of his Rotary Show appearances include Daddy Warbucks in Annie, the King in The King and I, Bung Foo in Thoroughly Modern Millie  and Charlie Cowell in The Music Man. 
 

 From the press release:

Batavia High School will be “Goin’Bald” for Roswell Park Cancer
Institute on Wednesday, March 25, at 7:00 PM in the BHS gym. The event,
sponsored by the National Honor Society and part of the annual Roswell’s
Goin’ Bald for Bucks appeal, will be sandwiched between two exciting
games of volleyball - the first between the BHS girls’ varsity
volleyball team and the boys’ varsity basketball team, and the second
game between staff members from throughout the school district. During
the intermission between the two games, any brave person who has
volunteered to go bald for Roswell will have their heads professionally
shaved.

“Our school community has been touched by cancer too often not to recognize the importance of the research that is ongoing at Roswell,” said Adam Pettinella Batavia High School National Honor Society President, “Our efforts this year are in honor of Mrs. Kay Dean, BHS health teacher, who passed away from cancer two years ago.” He said she was an active member of the faculty and everyone’s favorite teacher would have loved to have been a part of this special event.

The following teachers will have their heads shaved Wednesday evening:  from Batavia High School - Mr. Adam Garlapow, Mr. Nate Korzelius, Mr. John Kirkwood, Mr. Adam Fusco and Mr. Mark Warren; from the Middle School - Mr. Jeff Tress; from Jackson School - Mr. Carm DelPlato; from Robert Morris School - Mr. Michael Calandra and Mr. Jerry Sloan and from John Kennedy School - Mr. Paul Kesler, principal.

The following students are also shaving their heads and have raised their own donations through sponsorship - Taylor Hubbard, Will Ely, Chad Luce, Andrew Maxwell, Sunny Rathod and John Richards.

This is the first time BHS has participated in this event. All proceeds will be donated to Roswell.

“We hope we have a great turn out,” said Pettinella.

The Batavia Business Women's Club will hold their April 2 Dinner Meeting at  Batavia Downs, in the Board Room. Your choice of Steak or Chicken Entrees, $12. The guest speaker will be Genesee County Clerk, Don Read. Please RSVP by March 30 to Mary Ellen at 343-1610 or Diane at 343-1423 ext. 230.

The Elba Historical Society is holding a "take-out" only chicken barbecue on Sunday, March 29 beginning at 11:00 am at the museum on Maple Ave. in Elba.

ELBA BOY SCOUT TROOP 17 is holding their annual French Toast Breakfast on Sunday, March 29 from 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon at the Elba Rec. Hall, Rt. 98, Elba.  It is always a good meal for a good cause.

Press Release:

BATAVIA, NY -- From science to Second Life, fashion to fitness -"Experience Genesee," an all-ages Open House on Thursday, March 26 from 5:00 PM to 8:30 PM has something for everyone!  Every floor and building of Genesee Community College's Batavia Campus will be alive and in action with "Experience Genesee," an evening of free, enjoyable learning, entertainment, refreshments, and a wealth of fun and informative short workshops, including an educational Open House for all potential new students.

"From young children to traditional age students, older adults or retirees, this is a great evening for all kinds of interesting activities, mini workshops, music, and learning throughout the College," Tanya Lane-Martin, assistant dean for Enrollment Services and Recruitment and a member of the Experience Genesee Planning Committee said. "There are so many dynamic things happening at the College each and every day that we wanted to give the community and perspective new students the chance to enjoy an impressive one-night sample. There truly is something for everyone at Experience Genesee!"

In addition to more than 25 "funshops" covering an array of different topics, there will be live music by the Batavia Brass Society, the Forum Player's The Incredible Jungle Journey of Fenda Maria in the Stuart Steiner Theatre, and the CoolKids Bubble Man show for children starts at 6:30 PM in the Forum. Free refreshments and a College Information Fun Faire will occur in the cafeteria, and the evening concludes with a telescopic view of the sky and stars outside in the Clock Tower Plaza (weather permitting).

Prospective students will be able to tour the state-of-the-art science, health and computer labs and classrooms, as well as College Village, Genesee's apartment style housing complex. They can explore potential career opportunities at the Career Center and learn and witness Genesee's active student clubs and student government in the Student Union.

Any person interested in signing up for the Open House can pre-register online at: www.genesee.edu/openhouse.

The complete schedule for Experience Genesee follows, and a full brochure with detailed information about each event is available at www.genesee.edu/Experience.

Experience Genesee - 5:30PM Workshops
GCC Men's Lacrosse Practice,  4:00-6:00 PM - Outdoor Fields
Riding the Radio Waves with WGCC - Room A327
Exercise and Fitness Today - Room A236
Spanish Activities: Music, Videos, Scrapbooking, Card Making - Room A312
Nursing Demos with Simulators & Blood Pressure Checks - Room B202
Earning College Credit in High School - Room B358
Physics Alive with Light, Mechanics and Magnetism - Room B302
Forensic Corner - Connecting with Biotechnology - Room B304
Art History: Exploring Art Treasure of the Ages - Room B360
School's Cool for Kids of All Ages - Rooms B309 & C305, C307,  C309
What's in the Water? Exploring the Environment - Room C310
Create a Business Opportunity - Room D254
Do-It-Yourself Computer Repair - Room D205
Building a Positive Image Fashion Workshop - Room D260
Travel Savvy Workshop - Room D258
We Are Our Voice - Introduction to Vocal Performance - Room E215
The Magic of Clay, Ceramics and Pottery - Room E217
Creative Arts, for kids ages 5 and up - Room E217
Affording College - Financial Aid Information & Presentation - Room T119
FISH- Inspiring Others with Energy and Enthusiasm - Room T122
Touring GCC's TV Studio - Room T137
Second Life: Creating Avatars and Navigating Virtual Worlds - Room T206
Sport Mini Clinics - Gym / Pool
Grow It and Eat It! Gardening & Cooking Resources - Library
Experience Genesee - 7:30PM Funshops
Riding the Radio Waves with WGCC - Room A327
Exercise and Fitness Today - Room A236
Spanish Activities: Music, Videos, Scrapbooking, Card Making - Room A312
Nursing Demos with Simulators & Blood Pressure Checks - Room B202
Earning College Credit in High School - Room B358
Forensic Corner - Connecting with Biotechnology - Room B304
School's Cool for Kids of All Ages - Rooms B309 & C305, C307,  C309
What's in the Water? Exploring the Environment - Room C310
Create a Business Opportunity - Room D254
Do-It-Yourself Computer Repair - Room D205
Building a Positive Image Fashion Workshop - Room D260
Travel Savvy Workshop - Room D258
Creative Arts, for kids ages 5 and up - Room E217
Affording College - Financial Aid Information & Presentation - Room T119
Touring GCC's TV Studio - Room T137
Second Life: Exploring Virtual Worlds and GCC's Island - Room T206
Sport Mini Clinics featuring Competitions & Prizes - Gym / Pool
Spring is Near with G.C. Cooperative Extension Master Gardener - Library
"The Incredible Jungle Journey of Fenda Maria" Rehearsal - Theatre
Experience Genesee - Not to Miss - Events
Physical Rehabilitation - Bodies in Motion (Physical Therapy) PTA Lab - Room  A216
Planting Hairy Heads - take them home & watch them grow - all evening / Library
CoolKids Bubble Man Performance at 6:30pm - Forum
Free Pizza and Soda (with coupon enclosed in folders) at 7:00pm - 7:30pm - Cafeteria / Forum
Batavia Brass Society Performance at 6:00pm - 8:00pm - Tech. Bldg Lobby (2nd Floor)
Experience Genesee Pre-K - 6th Grade Coloring Contest Exhibit Best of Show Award presented at the Forum at 6:25pm - Cafeteria / Forum
Performances & Entertainment at 5:30pm - 8:30pm - Student Union
College Info / Fun Faire at 6:30pm - 7:30pm - Cafeteria
Telescopic View of the Sky & Stars (weather permitting) at 8:00pm - Clocktower Plaza
College and College Village Tours - all evening / starting from the Cafeteria
This schedule is subject to change.

For further general information, contact Valerie Hale at 585-343-0055 x 6200 or send an email to vahale@genesee.edu.

Press Release:

Four very special individuals from Genesee County have taken on an important role in our community as Volunteer Long Term Care Ombudsmen. ‘Ombudsman’ is an unusual word with Swedish roots, defined as a person who investigates complaints and mediates fair settlements.  Under federal and New York State law, all residents of long term care facilities (nursing homes, adult care facilities, assisted living facilities and family-type homes) have the right to speak confidentially with an ombudsman about their concerns.
Ombudsmen are volunteers who enjoy working with the elderly. They are charged with resolving complaints, monitoring quality of life issues and helping to preserve the dignity of residents living in long term care facilities. Their primary goal – protecting the rights of residents.

Richard Neth, a Batavia resident who has been a volunteer Ombudsman for over six years, attests, “It’s very rewarding to know the residents appreciate our help. I really look forward to seeing them each week.” 

Catherine Stone, a LeRoy resident who has been with the Ombudsman Program for eight years, covers two different facilities, visiting residents each week and helping where she can. She talks modestly of her role. “It really isn’t much,” says Stone. “Some people can’t speak for themselves, so I help wherever I can.” Stone especially enjoys weekly visits to a new family-type home in LeRoy. “They truly are a family there, and it brings such joy to me to visit with them.”

Neth, Stone and three other volunteers each spend 2-4 hours per week visiting residents in the long term care facility to which they are assigned. Together, they visit over 600 residents at 7 different facilities every week. In 2008 alone, they investigated and resolved over 77 complaints.

“A very big job for our small group of dedicated volunteers,” admits Leanne Rorick of Lifespan, the Program’s local Coordinator. The Genesee County Long Term Care Ombudsman Program is managed by Lifespan, a senior service agency in Rochester, NY. Other counties covered by Lifespan include Livingston, Wyoming, Monroe, Ontario and Yates.

Complaints range from minor to major and can include lost laundry issues, care-related concerns, food complaints, and even abuse allegations, neglect, or mistreatment.

“We’re friendly visitors, but we’re so much more,” says Rorick. She reflects on the past few months and some of the cases she and the team of volunteers have assisted with.

“Privacy issues, lost laundry, emergency call bells not being answered in a timely manner, and staffing issues are just some of the situations that we’ve dealt with recently.”

Complaints are given to ombudsmen during their regular weekly visits with residents. Staff members sometimes request the assistance of the ombudsman to mediate difficult situations, as well. Residents, staff, family members and friends can contact the regional Ombudsman Program office at Lifespan with concerns and complaints, at (585)244-8400 x114. Discussions with ombudsmen are always confidential.

The Long Term Care Ombudsman Program was developed as a demonstration program in 1972, and is currently established in all states under the Older Americans Act. Over 1,000 volunteers serve more than 150,000 long-term care residents in New York State, alone.

Volunteers for the Ombudsman Program have come from all backgrounds and experiences, including but not limited to the banking and finance industry, the legal field, teaching, nursing, social work and homemaking. They are people who enjoy the elderly, who are dedicated to helping others and who can commit to weekly visits to their assigned facility.

Certification is free, and includes a 36-hour training course provided by Lifespan of Rochester, where experts cover topics such as the aging process, levels of care, the inner workings of long term care facilities, advocacy strategies, and more. The next annual training program will be held May 13-20.

An application process, interview and background check are necessary to begin training for the Certification Program. Volunteers are assigned after successful completion of training. A one year commitment is recommended, but most ombudsmen continue long after.

If you interested in becoming a Certified Volunteer Ombudsman, or if you would like more information about the Ombudsman Program, please contact Marie Frey, Ombudsman Program Coordinator at Lifespan, at (585) 244-8400 x114 or local Coordinator, Leanne Rorick at 402-8480 or lrorick@lifespan-roch.org.
 

MAMMOTH Indoor Garage Sale

Saturday, April 18th 9AM-4PM

St. Joseph School
corner of Main (Route 5) & Summit
Batavia

*  "It's a widely-acclaimed, super-enormous, ultra-gigantic quality sale!"

*  Everything from A-to-Z (clothing excluded)

*  New this year: a wide variety of quality, used furniture

Please call Kathy Stefani at 585-344-2701 with any questions.
Hope to see you there!

Press Release:

BATAVIA, NY -- Genesee Community College is pleased to announce student Leah Reino was a finalist in the Community College Week NISOD Student Essay Contest. The National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development (NISOD) and Community College Week magazine together sponsored an essay writing contest for community college students based on their most rewarding learning experience with faculty, staff or administrator at their college. There were over 1,300 entries, and Leah's essay, Professor Weston and the Last Crusade, was one of nine finalists who were recognized.

Leah has been a full time student since fall of 2007, when she was 15 years old. She was home-schooled through middle school and then completed her high school requirements through Genesee in the spring of 2008. She is now working on her associate's degree with plans to graduate in the fall of 2010. She is currently studying Biotechnology and plans to someday earn a doctorate degree in science.

Leah first learned of the essay contest through a posting at the Arcade campus center where she takes most of her classes. Professor Michael Weston also mentioned the contest to Leah and she found it fitting to write about his impact on her as a student. Michael Weston is a history instructor at the Arcade Campus Center and has had a huge impact on how Leah has developed and how she sees the world.

"His classes helped me adapt to college life and becoming an adult, and also formed my opinions about current events and the global situation," Leah said. "In my opinion, these things are essential for any scientist. In order to conduct relevant research or contribute to the scientific community in any way, you have to understand the world around you. Not just in the scientific sense, but also in the political, economic, and social sense."

Mr. Weston's classes have established this groundwork for Leah in a way that is invaluable. Because of him, she is now fascinated by history, politics, and the economy, subjects she previously found dull and irrelevant to her scientific studies. Leah has taken four classes with Mr. Weston in the five semesters she has been enrolled at Genesee. Weston's classes are engaged with thought-provoking debates about current events and he shows his classes how complex the world is. Always questioning the issues presented, he offers alternative viewpoints to his students in order to show them an unbiased view of the current topic at hand.

Leah's essay, Professor Weston and the Last Crusade starts out as a movie trailer-like description of the events happening in Weston's class. He is often compared to Indiana Jones and his classes like an entertaining movie, where students are his audience. She goes on to tell of the effects he has had on her academically and personally and describes him as "a crusader against the forces of ignorance and complacency in the world."

 

In the future, Leah plans on transferring to a university where she can focus on her love of science, possibly studying medical research, biomedical/genetic engineering, forensics or astrophysics. As an alternative, Leah is also interested in global studies and political science, with thanks to Mr. Weston. She also would like to publish a book sometime in her life.

"Because my fields of interest are so grounded in reality, my favorite genre of writing is science fiction and fantasy," Leah noted. "They provide an escape for me from the toils of everyday life. I would love to become a science fiction or fantasy author sometime in the future."

Leah also has plans to someday 'retire' to teach in an academic setting at a college, due in large part to Professor Weston. "He has inspired me; I would want to inspire my own students."

Leah resides on a family farm in Farmersville, NY and lives with her mother and father, David and Gail Reino, and with her brother David Benjamin, who has also started his education at Genesee at 15 years of age. Leah's father, David, is an emergency room doctor in Jamestown, NY, and has been her mentor and inspired her interest in science at a very young age. Leah is an avid horseback rider and competes at fairs and shows throughout Wyoming, Cattaraugus, and Allegheny counties. She also enjoys reading extensively in many genres, from fantasy to historical fiction to science magazines. She is an active member in Genesee's chapter of Phi Theta Kappa Honors Society, Alpha Iota Upsilon chapter as the chapter Webmaster.